Chapter 2 |13 mins

Chapter 3 | 21 mins

Water Dialogues is about creating space to share and listen to the stories, knowledge and voices that are too often absent in the discussion around water in Canada. Based on audio-recordings from a national Water Gathering event that brought together First Nations, Inuit, Métis and other Canadian water researchers and experts from across the country, this podcast project explores our conversations around the need to bring our diverse knowledge systems together to address the complex and increasingly critical water issues we face today.

It represents an effort to share, in a narrative audio-documentary form, the key messages and themes of the project through the voices, stories and experience of those who participated in the second of two national Water Gathering events that were held as part of that project. The podcast was created from the recorded proceedings of the Water Gathering, as well as short interviews with individual participants.

I have learned so much from the people and the process involved in this work, and I remain in awe of the beautiful and profound ways in which these teachings continue to unfold in my life. I am deeply thankful for the gift of this project’s journey, and hope that by contributing to the assembly this podcast I am able to offer something in return.

Lindsay Day
MSc Candidate
University of Guelph

About the Larger Research Project

Examining Methods and Models of Integrative Indigenous and Western Knowledge for Water Research and Management in Canada

The purpose of this 18-month project was to identify and evaluate promising methods and models for effectively and equitably implementing Indigenous and Western knowledge in water research and management in Canada, by exploring what has worked (and, perhaps more importantly, what has not), and why.

Two national Water Gathering events were held: The first to identify shared concerns and inform the direction of the project, and the second a year later to return together to discuss the research findings and the draft summary report. Both gatherings served as a space to share stories, build and strengthen our relationships with one another, and facilitate co-learning.

The final project report, Living with Water: Integrative Indigenous and Western Knowledge Approaches to Transform Water Research and Management, weaves findings from a systematic realist literature review, in-depth interviews, and insights from Water Gathering participants and the project’s National Advisory Committee.

Through the project, key recommendations for three different audiences were developed:

Sincerest thanks to all the committed project partners and participants involved throughout the duration of the larger research project, and to the second Water Gathering participants for sharing their words, wisdom and stories with us through the Water Dialogues podcast. Thanks to the Wabano Aboriginal Health Centre for welcoming us in their beautiful space for that Water Gathering, to Guy Freedman for facilitating our discussion, and to Elders Barbara Hill and Albert Dumont for their stories, teachings and opening and closing prayers and songs.

Special thanks also to my academic advisors Sherilee Harper and Ashlee Cunsolo, the rest of core research team, and the members of our podcast editing and production team. Your support, encouragement and suggestions have been so integral to this podcast project.

A huge thank you to Jeremy Kessler and Mach Sound Studios for audio awesomeness; and Margie Taylor, Erin Noel, and Michael Ridley for audio-documentary advice. Thanks to my sister Megan Barnes for helping to get this website set up, and to the Canadian Water Network for investing in this knowledge mobilization initiative.